Dedham Police Department officers Ron Pucci and Rich Cawley opened up the Dedham Fit Club at Dedham High School early this summer.

The Fit Club is open to current and incoming Dedham High School students looking for a place to play basketball, lift weights and meet other students with similar athletic interests. It is supervised by Dedham police officers.

Cawley said that younger children in Dedham have organized activities, but the high school students do not. This was his main motivation to make the Fit Club happen, he said.

"[It was] just to give the high school kids something to do. Thereís not much for them to do around town...athletically," he said. "Itís nice for the kids to see us differently, not in uniform.. and just hanging out with us."

Officer Ron Pucci, co-founder of the Fit Club, said he wanted to start the Fit Club after there was no longer a basketball club. There was nowhere for students to play basketball without being asked to leave after dark, Pucci said.

Pucci said there are about 50 to 60 students that show up each night the club is held.

Officer Tim Miranda, who helps to supervise the evening fit club, said he enjoys basketball, which was his motivation to be a part of the group.

The Fit Club provides workouts to any student interested in trying them out. Dedham police officers also play basketball with the students that attend.

Junior Christopher Mayor said he uses the club to prepare for the football season, he said. This fall will be his third year on the Dedham High School football team, and most of the team comes to the club for workouts, Mayor said.

Incoming freshman Juran Ligonde í18 wanted to attend the Fit Club to improve basketball skills and workout more. He is preparing to try out for the Dedham High School basketball team this winter, Ligonde said.

Jonathan Cleveland, another incoming freshman, said he joined the Fit Club because he likes to work out and enjoys "hanging out with Officer Pucci."

The Fit Club also gave him the opportunity to meet older students the summer before entering Dedham High School. He hopes to participate in football, basketball and track at the high school, Cleveland said.

The Fit Club is held Monday and Wednesday nights from 4-10 p.m. and will continue into August.